With early predictions suggesting the soft tyre is only likely to last for around eight laps if they are qualified on and then raced, it means at least a three-stop race for those opting for the one-second advantage that the option tyre could bring in Q3.

However, if track evolution can be stretched up to 20 laps for the hard tyre, then there is the possibility that those starting on hard may be able to get away with doing one less stop - which could hand them a good advantage in the race.